Austria Passes Reforms to 1912 Islam Law

The new law, which the Austrian government says could serve as a model for the rest of Europe, seeks to reduce outside meddling by prohibiting foreign funding for mosques, imams and Muslim organizations in Austria. It also stresses that Austrian law must take precedence over Islamic Sharia law for Muslims living in the country.

The Turkish government has expressed outrage at the financing ban, which it says amounts to "Islamophobia."

"Countries cannot have their own version of Islam. Islam is universal and its sources are clear. ... [E]fforts taken by state leaders to create a version of Islam that is particular to their own countries are futile." — Mehmet Görmez, Head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate.

The massive demographic and religious shift underway in Austria, traditionally a Roman Catholic country, appears irreversible. In Vienna, Muslim students already outnumber Catholic students at middle and secondary schools and are on the verge of overtaking Catholics in elementary schools.

At the same, time Austria has emerged as a major base for radical Islam.

The Austrian parliament has approved controversial reforms to the country's century-old Islam Law (Islamgesetz), governing the status of Muslims in the country.

The new law, which was passed on February 25, is aimed at integrating Muslims and fighting Islamic radicalism by promoting an "Islam with an Austrian character."

Among other changes, the new law seeks to reduce outside meddling by prohibiting foreign funding for mosques, imams and Muslim organizations in Austria. It also stresses that Austrian law must take precedence over Islamic Sharia law for Muslims living in the country.

The Austrian government says the new law is a milestone and could serve as a model for the rest of Europe. But Muslim groups say it is discriminatory and have vowed to challenge it in court.

The new law overhauls the original Islam Law, which dates back to 1912. The original law was passed in order to help integrate Muslim soldiers into the Habsburg Imperial Army after the Austro-Hungarian Empire annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1908. The law recognized Islam as an official religion in Austria, and allowed Muslims to practice their religion in accordance with the laws of the state.

After the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed in the aftermath of World War I, the number of Muslims in Austria was reduced to just a few hundred people. After World War II, however, Austria's Muslim population increased rapidly with the arrival of "guest workers" from Turkey and the Balkans in the 1960s, and refugees from Bosnia in the 1990s.

According to data compiled by the University of Vienna, the Muslim population in Austria now exceeds 574,000 (or roughly 7% of the total population), up from an estimated 340,000 (or 4.25%) in 2001 and 150,000 (or 2%) in 1990.

The massive demographic and religious shift underway in Austria, traditionally a Roman Catholic country, appears irreversible. In Vienna, where the Muslim population now exceeds 12.5%, Muslim students already outnumber Catholic students at middle and secondary schools. Muslim students are also on the verge of overtaking Catholics in Viennese elementary schools.

At the same time, Austria has emerged as a major base for radical Islam. A recent report by Austria's Agency for State Protection and Counterterrorism (BVT) warned of the "exploding radicalization of the Salafist scene in Austria." Salafism is an anti-Western ideology that seeks to impose Islamic sharia law.

Due to its geographic location, Austria has also become a central hub for European jihadists seeking to fight in Syria. In addition to being a transit point for foreigners going to fight with the Islamic State, at least 190 Austrian citizens have become jihadists in Syria and Iraq.

In an interview with Austrian Public Radio Ö1-Morgenjournal, Austria's Minister for Integration and Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz, said the rapid rise of Islam in Austria has rendered the old Islam Law obsolete. A new law is needed, he said, to stipulate more clearly the rights and responsibilities of Muslims living in the country.

The new law (nine-page text in German here) regulates at least a dozen separate issues, including relatively non-controversial matters such as Muslim holidays, Muslim cemeteries, Muslim dietary practices and the activities of Muslim clergy in hospitals, prisons and the army. In this respect, the government has met all of the demands put forth by Muslim groups in the country.

The new law, however, goes far beyond what Muslims had wanted. For example, the law seeks to prevent the growth of a parallel Islamic society in Austria by regulating mosques and the training of imams, who will now be required to be proficient in German. The new law also requires Muslim organizations and groups to terminate the employment of clerics who have criminal records or who "pose a threat to public safety, order, health and morals or the rights and freedoms of others."

More significantly, Paragraph 6.2 of the law seeks to limit the religious and political influence of foreign governments within the Austrian Muslim community by prohibiting foreign countries -- presumably Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf states -- from financing Islamic centers and mosques in Austria.

The new restrictions -- including an employment ban for foreign clerics in Austria as of March 31, 2016 -- would apply especially to Turkey: 60 of the 300 Muslim clerics working in Austria are Turkish civil servants whose salaries are being paid for by the Turkish government's Religious Affairs Directorate, the Diyanet.

In an interview with the BBC, Kurz said the reforms were a "milestone" for Austria and were aimed at preventing certain Muslim countries from using financial means to exert "political influence." He said:

"What we want is to reduce the political influence and control from abroad and we want to give Islam the chance to develop freely within our society and in line with our common European values."

The Turkish government has expressed outrage at the financing ban, which it says amounts to "Islamophobia." The head of the Diyanet, Mehmet Görmez, said it was a "huge mistake" that would throw Austria's tradition of tolerance towards Islam "back 100 years." He added:

"Countries come together from time to time on the grounds of security concerns and try to construct a version of Islam peculiar to their own countries, rather than increase the freedoms that would lead to unity and remove obstacles before the religious education and services, and make an effort to remove anti-Islamic sentiments and Islamophobia.

"Countries cannot have their own version of Islam. Islam is universal and its sources are clear. Therefore, religion is not a matter of engineering. I would like to restate that efforts taken by state leaders to create a version of Islam that is particular to their own countries are futile."

Mehmet Görmez (left), head of the Turkish government's Religious Affairs Directorate, denounced Austria's new law and said that Austria should instead "make an effort to remove anti-Islamic sentiments and Islamophobia." Johann Rädler (right), speaking for the Austrian People's Party, said the law "guarantees Muslims more rights, and on the other hand it serves to counteract undesirable developments."

For many, however, the most contentious part of the law involves Paragraph 4.2, which states that Muslim organizations "must have a positive attitude toward society and state" or be shut down. According to the government, this formulation makes it clear that Austrian civil law has priority over Islamic Sharia law. Muslim groups say this is unfair because it casts a "veil of general suspicion" over the entire community.

Kurz has defended the clause: "In Austria there must be no contradiction between being a self-conscious Austrian, while at the same time also being a devout Muslim. That was always the intention behind this law."

Some say the law does not go far enough. The leader of the anti-immigration Freedom Party of Austria, Heinz-Christian Strache, says that the law is full of loopholes will be difficult if not impossible to enforce. He also expressed dismay that the law does not include a ban on minarets and burkas.

A spokesperson for the Austrian People's Party, Johann Rädler, said the law is the result of compromises that were made on both sides. He added:

"The goal of this law is to promote an Islam with an Austrian character, without being patronizing and without being dependent upon contributions from abroad. On the one hand, this law guarantees Muslims more rights, and on the other hand it serves to counteract undesirable developments."

Soeren Kern is a Senior Fellow at the New York-basedGatestone Institute. He is also Senior Fellow for European Politics at the Madrid-based Grupo de Estudios Estratégicos / Strategic Studies Group. Follow him onFacebook and onTwitter.

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41 Reader Comments

Joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 19:50

The Jews had lived in Israel almost 2000 years by the time Mohammed was born. Jesus was born in Bethlehem 600 years before Mohammed was born.

The claim of being "a holy place" is based on this dream described in the Koran. In the dream, Mohammed "visited" a place referred to as masjid el-aksa, which means "the farthest mosque".

But the El Aksa Mosque was built about a hundred years after Mohammed. In Mohammed's time, Jerusalem was ruled by the Byzantine Christians, and there were no mosques at all in Jerusalem, not on the Temple Mount or anywhere else. So obviously, Mohammed couldn't have dreamed about a mosque that didn't exist.

The Ummayad Caliph, in AD 688-691, built the Dome of the Rock, right on the spot of the Jewish Temple, then in AD 715, to build up the prestige of their dominions, the Umayyads built a second mosque on the Temple Mount, and called this one the farthest mosque (al-masjid al aqsa). With this, the Umayyads retroactively gave Jerusalem a role in Muhammad's life, and inserted Jerusalem post hoc into the Qur'an, thus making it more important to Islam.

This trick has worked, generating the belief that Muhammad's night journey took him to Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, even though the mosque was built 65 years after the Qur'an was delivered.

Timeline• Solomon's Temple built 958-951 BC and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian armies in 587 BC.• Second Temple (King Herod) built 37-4 BC and destroyed by General Titus and his Roman soldiers in AD 70• Muhammad born AD 572• Muhammad's alleged "night journey" and mi'raj AD 622• Muhammad died AD 632• Dome of the Rock built by Amir Abd-ul-Malik AD 688-691• Masjid al-Aqsa built AD 715

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Joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 19:36

The Quran mandates that a woman is worth half of a man, then uses this as evidence (because the Quran is the statement of Allah) against her: CIRCULAR ARGUMENT
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah's Apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) o 'Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?" He replied, "You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you." The women asked, "O Allah's Apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, "Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."

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Joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 19:31

Ibn al-Munir (d. 1333) writes: "War is deceit," i.e., the most complete and perfect war waged by a holy warrior is a war of deception, not confrontation. Muhammad signed treaty with the Quraish tribe in 628 in Hijaz. He was compelled to come to terms with the Quraish because of military weakness, but once achieving military parity, he abrogated the treaty and went to war to kill, rape and plunder.

For example, if someone declares, "I don't have a penny in my pocket," most listeners will assume the speaker has no money on him -- though he might have dollar bills, just literally no pennies.

A man who swears to Allah that he can only sleep under a roof (saqf); when the man is caught sleeping atop a roof, he exonerates himself by saying "by roof, I meant the open sky." This is legitimate. "After all," Munajid adds, "Qur'an 21:32 refers to the sky as a roof [saqf]."

A Muslim cleric recently appeared on video counseling Muslims to tell Christians, "I wish you the best," whereby the latter might "understand it to mean you're wishing them best in terms of their [Christmas] celebration." But -- here the sheikh giggles as he explains -- "by saying I wish you the best, I mean in your heart I wish you become a Muslim."

Once when Hanbal was conducting class, someone came knocking, asking for one of his students. Hanbal answered, "He's not here, what would he be doing here?" -- all the time pointing at his hand, as if to say "he's not in my hand." The caller, who could not see Hanbal's hands, assumed the student was simply not there and left.

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joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 18:37

Muhammad liked Sexually Fondling young girls: Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: I was accompanying the Prophet on a journey and was riding a slow camel that was lagging behind the others. The Prophet passed by me and asked, "Who is this?" I replied, "Jabir bin 'Abdullah." He asked, "What is the matter, (why are you late)?" I am riding a slow camel.......He said, "Why have you not married a virgin to fondle with each other?" I said, "My father died and left daughters, so I decided to marry a widow (an experienced woman) (to look after them)." /Sahih Bukhari 3:38:504;

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: While we were returning from a Ghazwa (Holy Battle) with the Prophet, I started driving my camel fast..., 'What makes you in such a hurry?" I replied, I am newly married " He said, "Did you marry a virgin or a matron? I replied, "A matron." He said, "Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you may play with her and she with you?" /Sahih Bukhari 7:62:16;

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: When I got married, Allah's Apostle said to me, "What type of lady have you married?" I replied, "I have married a matron' He said, "Why, don't you have a liking for the virgins and for fondling them?" Jabir also said: Allah's Apostle said, "Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you might play with her and she with you?'Sahih Bukhari 7:62:17;

Bukhari (6:298): Muhammad would take a bath with the little girl and fondle her (Aisha).

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Joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 18:31

Khomeini's Teachings on sex with infants: Islamic teachings on sex with infants: "A man can have sexual pleasure from a child as young as a baby. However, he should not penetrate. If he penetrates and the child is harmed then he should be responsible for her subsistence all her life. This girl, however would not count as one of his four permanent wives. The man will not be eligible to marry the girl's sister." [The complete Persian text of this saying can be found in "Ayatollah Khomeini in Tahrirolvasyleh, Fourth Edition, Darol Elm, Qom"]

The Ayatollah Khomeini, who married a 12-year-old girl, even gave his consent to using infants for sexual pleasure (although warning against full penetration until the baby is a few years older).

In April, 2010, a 13-year-old Yemeni girl died from injuries suffered to her womb during "intercourse".

Several other cases are known.

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Joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 18:20

"Thighing" Aisha. She was six years of age and Mohammed could not have intercourse with her due to her age. That is why [the prophet] peace and prayer of Allah be upon him placed his [male] member between her thighs and massaged it softly.Bukhari (5:268) -- "The Prophet used to visit all his wives in a round, during the day and night and they were eleven in number." I asked Anas, 'Had the Prophet the strength for it?' Anas replied, 'We used to say that the Prophet was given the strength of thirty men.' "Bukhari (60:311) - "I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your wishes and desires." These words were spoken by Aisha within the context of her husband having been given 'Allah's permission' to fulfill his sexual desires with a large number of women in whatever order he chooses.
Muhammad's pursuit of Zaynab, the wife of his adopted son is contrary to the Quran. Aisha is doubtful of Muhammad's claim that Allah commanded him to marry Zaynab, wryly remarking, "Truly Allah seems to be very quick in fulfilling your prayers."

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Joline • Mar 3, 2015 at 17:43

If you have an adequate knowledge of Islam and the Quran, you will know that the Principles are directly opposite to the Principles of Democracy.

Islam and Democracy cannot co-exist.

Islam is submission to the Quran. It is about obedience and conformity to the requirements of the Quran and Sharia Law. Both are directly against Democracy.

If you are not convinced, then you have a responsibility to do research and inform yourself.

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Richard Joline • Mar 23, 2015 at 16:52

A little change each day is hardly noticed... a tiny demographic percentage increase each day. Hardly noticed until it is too late. Then the demography becomes irreversible, demands become more strident... .

Islam as set down in the Koran and Hadiths is incompatible with democracy, liberty, free thought, free expression, equality of human rights, equality of women, and anti-racialism.. It is the new totalitarianism, with a growing radical element in IS now practising Islam 'to the letter' producing new horrors.

Austria and Norway are taking the first difficult steps. Other nations need to find the courage to confront reality and follow their example. Moderate educated Muslims will in general accept secularism; let Turkey scream in protest. The country is hardly a shining example to the world.

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Harold • Mar 1, 2015 at 22:06

For the life of me I have never understood how outside nations and groups can and usually do influence the way a sovereign nation operateswithin its own borders. I am referencing how Turkey reacted to the new law passed 25 Feb. in Austria. If a nation passes a law and as an immigrant
if you do not like it stay where the laws and customs are to your liking.

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Derrick Cox • Feb 28, 2015 at 19:36

Turkey's response that secular laws should not interfere with Universal Islam should be of great concern to everyone. In advanced countries secular laws are rules under which various religions and non religions are obligated to respect each others basic rights. If Turkey's view is reflective of Muslims in most countries, then there is coming great danger to the world.

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L. Andrews Derrick Cox • Mar 1, 2015 at 16:57

Islam is a supremacist hybrid ideology/religion whose adherents see its destiny as ruling the world. Some are just in a bigger hurry (extremists) to achieve this goal than others (so-called moderates). But make no mistake, they are all in the supremacist project together. Where Muslims achieve superior numbers, faux "moderates" make no objection whatsoever as people of other faiths are persecuted, killed and cleansed from Muslim lands. One can see this process in its various stages in the 57 Muslim dominated states and the beginnings of sharia law being instituted in western countries that have foolishly imported millions of people with an Islamic belief system antithetical to secular western law. It's not just sharia for Muslims in the West. Even non-Muslims must abide by Islamic law in our own lands e.g. not allowed to criticize Islam, Mohammed or Muslims on pain of having one's reputation smeared by accusations of Islamophobia or killed outright as in the Charlie Hebdo crew.

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James Luce • Feb 28, 2015 at 04:12

Trying to integrate Islam into Western culture by passing a law is futile given that the Koran expressly and repeatedly prohibits Muslims from even tolerating non-believers, let alone living together with them in peace. The prohibition against foreign funding of mosques and religious centers is a good start, but that only keeps out infrastructure. The foreign "stealth soldiers of Islam" are still pouring over the border and otherwise changing the demographics. It amazes me that Western governments and populations fail to understand that they are being invaded by hostile forces dedicated to vanquishing and extinguishing Western liberal principles of how humans should interact. The West can defend itself against bombs and AK-47s, but it can't protect itself from assimilation by subterfuge. Just as carbon dioxide quietly and steadily displaces oxygen, so too will Islam displace Democracy, leaving us no air to breathe but the Koran.

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Lutz Barz • Feb 28, 2015 at 03:50

Good one. They have experience historically in administering, in the days of the dual kingdom, their Muslim people, and then no one lost their minds. They are I hope a beacon of sanity, and the prohibition of outside money interfering with the social fabric of society is in the right direction. I hope they continue and the rest of the world learns.

So Turkey is outraged at Austria's new law. Is there no outrage at the extreme restrictions and violence meted out to Christians (and others) in many Moslem majority States.

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Frankie Schwartzwald • Feb 27, 2015 at 18:07

Congratulations and thanks to Austria for crafting a law that will keep the country uniquely Austrian but welcomes its immigrants.

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roxanne • Feb 27, 2015 at 17:45

It's not a phobia if you should be afraid.

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John Stefan Obeda • Feb 27, 2015 at 16:08

Yes, Islam is Islam. So says Mr. Gormez and so also has said Mr. Erdogan. The Qur'an and the Hadiths and the Sira teach what Islam is. So also the Bible teaches what Christianity is. We must go to the source to learn what Islam is and what Christianity is. ISIS teaches and does what their writings teach and command; therefore, ISIS is Islam. God the Holy Trinity bless Austria to do what has to be done to preserve their democracy and liberty and freedom and even common sense.

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Giuseppe Tarnero • Feb 27, 2015 at 13:49

I fully endorse this new law but unfortunately it will hold for a relatively short period of time. Those same Muslim children who make up the majority of the present school system, will soon become the future legislators or the supporters of new legislators, who would no doubt change this law in a Sharia type of legal system. The novel written by French Michel Houellebecq, "Soumission" describes all too well this apocalyptic transformation of a western culture.

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Night and Day • Feb 27, 2015 at 13:18

"The massive demographic and religious shift underway in Austria, traditionally a Roman Catholic country, appears irreversible. In Vienna, Muslim students already outnumber Catholic students at middle and secondary schools and are on the verge of overtaking Catholics in elementary schools.

At the same time Austria has emerged as a major base for radical Islam."

How on earth did successive Austrian leaders not see this coming? Unfortunately, it seems other European countries are not far behind ...... Why have they all been asleep at the wheel for so long? Wishful thinking? Collusion? Does anyone know?

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Jerry • Feb 27, 2015 at 13:05

A ban on burqas would've made the law almost perfect. Banning Sharia, banning foreigners and the money, making the Turkish government scream, it's about time! Goes to show, giving them more rights is never enough, it's gotta be everything including the kitchen sink or it's not enough and it's not fair.

Making themselves always the perceived underdog, and vilifying Christians, gives Muslims the false sense of justification to attack, plunder, and force conversions as fair and just. Or in this case just walk in, breed, and expect to have everything handed to them as they de facto take over.

The real test will come in 10 years, as the Muslim children reach voting age. Will they seek to overturn this law? If they do, goodbye Austria as we know it. Goodbye culture and goodbye Oktoberfest.

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G M Ben-Nathan • Feb 27, 2015 at 13:01

Any wordsmiths about?

If Islamo-PHOBIA means what I think it should mean - FEAR of Islam, then I'm Islamophobic, BIG TIME.PHOBIA usually DOES mean"FEAR" - claustoPHOBIA, agoraPHOBIA etc.etc.

WHY has the word been hijacked to mean "HATRED" of Islam ?

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Bart Benschop G M Ben-Nathan • Feb 28, 2015 at 20:19

Dear Sir,

The word Islamo-PHOBIA belongs to those who appease with the Muslim doctrine by spreading poisonous misconceptions.

"In clinical psychology, a phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational. In the event the phobia cannot be avoided entirely, the sufferer will endure the situation or object with marked distress and significant interference in social or occupational activities." (Bourne, Edmund J. (2011). The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook 5th ed. New Harbinger Publications. pp. 50–51.)

I share with G M Ben-Nathan fear for the Muslim doctrine and I would add loathing.

Kind regards,

Bart Benschop

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Alison G M Ben-Nathan • Mar 1, 2015 at 18:57

I read recently that CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) first coined the term 'Islamophobia'. A good example of Islamist linguistic obfuscation.

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Steve Skeete • Feb 27, 2015 at 10:53

It would be interesting if Mehmet Gormez would enlighten the ignorant, like myself, as well as the Austrian government, as to what "Universal Islam" is. What I believe he is saying is that the Austrian government has no right to demand that Muslims living in Austria submit to Austrian law, but that Muslims should be governed by their own (Sharia) laws. It seems that the Austrian government is seeking to make it clear that there must be one set of laws for all Austrians; but, of course, this is not "Universal Islam", which, by definition, wants to bring all Austrians under Muslim (Sharia) law. This is a bold, and right, step by the Austrian government. Now let's see what the Austrian courts will do when the law is challenged.

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A.Franklin • Feb 27, 2015 at 10:17

Oil is becoming worthless. Arabia needs Europe's water and land.

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Lia • Feb 27, 2015 at 10:15

Keep the law, let the Muslims go if they don't like the law of your country. It is, after all, their choice.

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Susana • Feb 27, 2015 at 09:46

Letting people wear a burqa amongst a civilian population that is beholden to a different set of beliefs and secular law is hijacking that said country. It is undermining that country's security [identity and a bomb could be concealed under a burqa], and on that ground alone; is enough of a reason to be outlawed. If they are so uncomfortable with blending their belief system, there are many Islamic countries that would accommodate them -- no? Why seek to live in a country if it does not reflect your religious and ideological commitment...or does this speak to a larger picture regarding commitment? [sounds like a 10-20 year plan underway]

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Carl • Feb 27, 2015 at 09:36

This may be one of the few times that I side with Austria. Somebody has finally used some common sense in dealing with the Muslim problem. You cannot have parallel governments in a country without one of them taking over the other. These people refuse to assimilate into any country that has offered them a new home. The burkas and veils must be the first things to go. If the rest of the EU and the USA don't also pass these laws their countries as we know them today will cease to exist.

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Babay • Feb 27, 2015 at 09:23

I would like to urge all the EUROPEAN countries to follow the precedent set by Austria and must block foreign funding so that they operate their networks within their sources. The should also review their political policies while considering the backing to the terrorists outfits across the globe.Turkey is itself a terrorist state, intervening in internal of her neighbouring states. All the clerics of that country be sent back to their homeland as they promote their evils in the host's land.

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Albert • Feb 27, 2015 at 08:00

When the Ottomans were stopped at the gates of Vienna, the Viennese, famous for their pastry, invented the Croissant as victory pastry over Islam (unknown to most people the croissant is really a Viennese pastry not a French one). I wonder what the Viennese Islamic pastry chefs will name their victory pastry for the conquest of Austria by Islam.

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Dolly • Feb 27, 2015 at 07:58

It is rich of Turkey to denounce the law in Austria while closing down the few remaining churches in Turkey.

Why aren't there churches in Islamic countries?

Why Sharia law when there is perfectly good civil law in a Western country? Is it because civil law in the West does not oppress women?

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Mary Krause • Feb 27, 2015 at 07:50

Austrians are able to speak more freely about Muslims & immigration than Americans in the USA.Both countries are examples of the complications & difficulty of preserving one's own country & culture with a large number of immigrants from entirely different cultural, religious, philosophical & political backgrounds.It would be better for the USA to diminish the dislocation of Muslims & flight of Muslim immigrants around the world from the war-torn Middle East.

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Joe • Feb 27, 2015 at 07:23

Finally, here is a country that believes in its own laws. Unfortunately, it has not gone far enough in the protectionof its citizens. Throughout Europe there is a war of religious beliefs that is destroying us, and I, and many other people of
my age, are deeply concerned about our children, and grandchildren, and their future.

Where are the leaders of the democratic countries? Don't they see what is happening? Don't they have families?

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Fred • Feb 27, 2015 at 07:21

Well, I will admit Austria showed lots of courage to defend its land, people and law. It may be a good example for the rest Europe. It is, as one can see a Europe that is colonised by Muslims, who have their own no-go enclaves with total disregard to the hosts laws. What an awakening. Already the furies have been let loose by Turkey & the Saudis. Austria has the audacity to wish to control the influx of money thus stop the meddling of Arabs into Austrian affairs. Wonder if other European States have the same guts.

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ray graf • Feb 27, 2015 at 07:05

Great article and good effort by the Austrian people.

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olutade • Feb 27, 2015 at 06:46

When religion becomes the source of fear, where then would humanity find solace?

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Hanna • Feb 27, 2015 at 06:30

It's about time! Let's hope other European countries follow suit! In Austria you live as an Austrian (at least out doors). Muslims always have the option of going back to where they came from. Multiculturalism has been a failure where ever it was tried. The only thing that works is integration. It has worked for a long time in the USA. As for success, don't hold your breath. Sadly, it might be too late. Taking away rights of native citizens in order to welcome new immigrants is insane.

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Tex • Feb 27, 2015 at 06:05

Any theocratic agenda in Europe is out of place and unconstitutional.Islam got used to the hope that the political project implied by the Sharia would reach unnoticed the stage of irreversibility. Freedom of religion in Europe cannot be the vehicle for a totalitarian ideology to abrogate genuine democracy.

I am much surprised of the outrage. If Austria must have a theocracy, then Catholicism is in the priority list to resume the old role which was suspended on behalf of freedom and coexistence.

However I agree Islam is one, and that's why in its orthodox version it is not compatible with the West.

The outrage should be for the lack of reciprocity showed to the West and Christianity and for the slow procedure of annihilation Christianity and Christendom have suffered.

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al Tex • Feb 28, 2015 at 17:56

The recognition that foreign money and interests are changing Austria is a good sign, although I, personally, believe it it too little too late.

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Jason Fane • Feb 27, 2015 at 05:47

Austria, like the rest of Europe, is in a demographic war with Islam. Catholics need to encourage young marriage, prevent birth control, and increase immigration of Catholics, maybe from South America.

In addition, they need more Catholic and Austrian cultural education.

They may also want to tighten rules for immigration, permanent residency and citizenship.

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